Broomfield police will step up extra patrols near all of Broomfield's elementary and middle schools until a suspect in Jessica Ridgeway's disappearance is identified.

Between 20 and 25 officers began extra patrols around schools Thursday morning, and they will continue the patrols as a precaution until investigators can identify any suspects in the disappearance of the 10-year-old Westminster girl.

Ridgeway has been missing since Oct. 5, when she left her home to meet friends to walks to school at Witt Elementary. Ridgeway never made it to school. Westminster police will not say if a body found in Arvada Wednesday night is that of Ridgeway.

Police have cleared Ridgeway's parents as suspects, but have not identified other suspects."Because there are no suspects at this time ... we will be very visible around the schools," said Broomfield police chief Tom Deland.

Deland said parents should consider driving their children to school or accompany them on their walk to school or the school bus stop. Anyone who sees something suspicious near a school is asked to call 911.

No suspicious activity has been reported near any Broomfield schools, and the increased patrols are just a precaution, Deland said. "These incidents are very rare," he said.

The Broomfield Police Department is among the agencies assisting in the investigation of Ridgeway's disappearance, Deland said."We hope this case can be cleared quickly. Until then, our officers will continue patrols until something changes."

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